Even Christ had his opponents.

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III reflects on the moving truth that even the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, despite His perfect holiness and boundless love, had opponents and enemies. He explains that Christ’s life on earth was a constant struggle between good and evil, between the light of truth and the power of darkness. Though evil seemed victorious at times, Christ truly triumphed, for through the Cross He offered salvation to the world.

Main spiritual ideas

1. Evil has existed since the beginning:
   Since Cain and Abel, evil has always resisted good, believing itself stronger. Yet divine goodness always prevails, for God Himself governs and delivers.

2. Christ faced opposition from four directions:
   From kings (like Herod and Pilate), Jewish leaders (priests, scribes, and Pharisees), some of the people, and Satan himself. Still, Christ responded not with hatred but with love and patience.

3. Evil uses many forms:
   They resisted Christ through thoughts, words, slander, and conspiracy. What began as inner thoughts turned into public accusations and plots against Him.

4. Opposition without reason:
   Christ wronged no one, yet He was met with hatred, envy, and fear for personal interests — Herod feared for his throne, Pilate for his position, and the priests for their power.

5. Satan as the main enemy:
   He tempted Christ, entered Judas to betray Him, and stirred people against Him until the Cross — but in the end, Satan was defeated, for Christ conquered through love and obedience unto death.

6. Religious resistance in the name of truth:
   The scribes and Pharisees fought Christ “in the name of religion,” pretending zeal for the Law while actually rejecting its spirit of mercy and love.

7. The struggle between letter and spirit:
   Christ came to save the world from dead literalism into the living spirit of the commandment. He healed on the Sabbath to teach that God desires mercy, not sacrifice.

8. Defamation and false accusations:
   They called Him a blasphemer, a deceiver, and even claimed He cast out demons by the prince of demons. Yet He remained silent, enduring injustice out of love for the salvation of the world.

Final message
Pope Shenouda emphasizes that the way of Christ is the way of resistance and endurance. Every true believer will face opposition just as Christ did. Yet the end is always victory, for God never allows good to be defeated. Christ conquered by love — and we are called to overcome likewise, through patience and faith.

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